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Startups pitch ideas to companies at Amsterdam’s Launchpad Meetups

During the Launchpad Meetups in Amsterdam, selected startups get to present their solutions to challenges given to them by the world’s top companies.

17 May 2016

Tech world converging on Amsterdam this May

A key part of Amsterdam’s very busy week of technology this May is the series of pitching events known as Launchpad Meetups. The goal is to connect startups with corporations, and some of Amsterdam’s leading companies will open their headquarters to host these events.

This is the third annual series of Launchpad Meetups. Last year there were 22 meetups organised, and this year will more than triple that number. Participating companies include ABN Amro, Cisco, Dell, Disney, the City of Amsterdam, KLM, KPMG, Oracle, Philips, the Port of Amsterdam, TomTom, and the Van Gogh Museum. These are small-scale, high-impact events, with the world’s leading companies in a wide range of industries.

A way of linking brands to innovation

Philips, for example, is asking for ideas about how they can take advantage of augmented reality for new products or services. Likewise, Dell is looking for a solution to the current lack of standardisation in the internet of things, and Rabobank is interested in a personal assistant that gives customers insights into their spending behaviour.

These meetups give promising startups the opportunity to pitch their ideas to help them solve important innovation challenges. The key decision makers will be present, and eager to collaborate.

For companies, the Launchpad Meetups offer an easy opportunity to get in touch with promising startups that could prove highly relevant. This process ensures that the foundations for partnerships are established, companies are promoted within the startup community, and the company’s brand image is linked to innovation.

The Launchpad Meetups are organised by StartupAmsterdam, TNW and EY, in collaboration with partners KPMG, KLM, Amsterdam Marketing and Holland FinTech.

Amsterdam and Utrecht-based startups in the medical tech, e-mobility and creative industries are invited to partake in our next startup bootcamp in Munich. The main goal of this intensive two-day bootcamp is to provide the selected Dutch startups with valuable information on a soft landing in a new market, mentoring in business development, networking opportunities and much more.